Damithri Chathumani Jayasekara
Remuera,New Zealand
Summary
Experienced disaster management professional and researcher with over a decade of expertise in bridging the gap between applied practice and academic research. Skilled in leading recovery teams on the ground and conducting community-based, participatory research to inform policy and practice. Passionate about empowering communities, integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into disaster risk reduction (DRR), and advancing equitable, evidence-based solutions for resilience and recovery. Strong foundation in environmental science and disaster management, complete PhD, and extensive experience across government, academic, and grassroots sectors. Bring a unique combination of technical expertise, cultural sensitivity, and leadership to every role.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Teaching Assistant
Auckland University of Technology
03.2025 - Current
- Supporting course delivery through the preparation of materials and assistance during lectures and tutorials
- Providing student support and guidance, addressing academic queries, and offering mentorship
- Facilitating student engagement by leading discussions and interactive learning sessions
- Offering practical support during fieldwork and disaster management simulations
- Promoting academic excellence by sharing resources and fostering critical thinking
- Contributed to paper marking, course evaluation, and improvement through feedback and suggestions
Team leader, out-bound recovery coordinators
Auckland Council
06.2023 - Current
- Leading and supervising a team of Out-Bound Recovery Coordinators by providing guidance, support, and performance management.
- Fostering a positive, collaborative, high-performance culture within the team, ensuring members are motivated and equipped to meet objectives.
- Monitoring and assessing team performance, providing regular feedback, coaching, and development opportunities to enhance individual and collective effectiveness.
- Overseeing outbound disaster recovery efforts, ensuring the team’s timely and effective response during emergencies.
- Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and coordination during disaster recovery operations.
- Provide senior management and key stakeholders with regular reports and updates on recovery operations, including progress, challenges, and resource needs.
Advisory environmental Scientists
RR group
06.2021 - Current
- Delivering guest lectures on Environmental Management
- Performing Carbon Footprint calculations
- Performing Water Footprint calculations
Housing support advisor
Auckland Council
06.2023 - 08.2023
- Providing housing support and welfare assistance assists individuals and families in accessing safe housing and essential welfare services.
- Coordinating with service providers by collaborating with government agencies, NGOs, and contractors to ensure the effective delivery of welfare services.
- Providing advocacy and support to disaster-affected communities through complex processes.
- Case management and building tailored support plans, including needs assessments and ongoing follow-ups.
- Information and communication, timely updates, and guidance were provided to disaster-affected communities, service providers, and stakeholders.
Instructor
University of Colombo
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Conducting lectures
- Conducting Practical classes
- Preparing exam papers and moderating
- Paper marking
- Assisting in GIS classes, providing hands-on support, and technical guidance
Project Assistance| Climate Resilience Climate Resilience Improvement Project: Kelani River Basin
University of Colombo
01.2018 - 06.2019
- Conducting Social Assessment Impact Survey
- Conducting community Consultation and Household Survey
- Data analysis
- Report Writing
Demonstrator
University of Colombo
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Coordinating academic activities for 3rd- and 4th-year Environmental Science Special Degree students
- Demonstrating practical and theoretical concepts to 3rd- and 4th-year Environmental Science students
- Coordinating the MSc in Environmental Science program offered by the department
- Conducted demonstrations and provided academic support to master’s degree students in the MSc in Environmental Sciences.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Ecosystems, Disaster risk reduction, Knowledge integration
Auckland University of Technology
04.2025
B. Sc Honors - Environmental Science, Disaster Management, Hazard Mitigation, Ecology, Geographic Information System
University Of Colombo
01.2017
Skills
- Geographic Information System
- Ethnographic research
- Observational Analysis
- Focus Group Interviews
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Conducting field surveys
- Carbon footprint & Water footprint calculation
- Waste Audits
- Microsoft Office
- Case Studies
- Participatory action research
- Semi-Structured Interviews
- Thematic Analysis
- Data Analysis (SPSS and Excel)
- Soil/water sampling techniques
- Remote sensing
- Positive attitude
- Assignment grading
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Team motivation
- Team supervision
- People management
- Staff training
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Coaching and mentoring
- Documentation and reporting
- Performance improvement
- Work planning
- Complex Problem-solving
- Analytical thinking
- Goal setting
- Overseeing daily activities
- Quality improvement
- Conflict resolution
- Mentoring
- Relationship building
- Safety processes and procedures
- Staff education and training
- Process improvement
- Team building
- Coaching
- Overtime management
- Feedback delivery
- Verbal and written communication
- Client communication
Accomplishments
- Unsung Hero, 2023, This was awarded to me in recognition of my leadership as a team leader at the Auckland Council Disaster Recovery Office, contributing to recovery efforts following the 2023 weather events.
- Gold medal for best research: International conference on climate change, 2019, This was awarded to me in recognition of the research I conducted on flood impacts and characteristics, and how wetland destruction contributes to increased flood risk.
- Gold medal for best research: Asia International Conference on Multidisciplinary Research, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2019, This was awarded to me in recognition of the research I conducted on the environmental and social impacts of garbage dumping site siting in Sri Lanka.
Hobbies and Interests
- Arts and Crafts
- Travelling
- Long walks
- Museums and libraries
- Gym
Timeline
Teaching Assistant
Auckland University of Technology
03.2025 - Current
Team leader, out-bound recovery coordinators
Auckland Council
06.2023 - Current
Housing support advisor
Auckland Council
06.2023 - 08.2023
Advisory environmental Scientists
RR group
06.2021 - Current
Instructor
University of Colombo
01.2018 - 01.2020
Project Assistance| Climate Resilience Climate Resilience Improvement Project: Kelani River Basin
University of Colombo
01.2018 - 06.2019
Demonstrator
University of Colombo
01.2017 - 01.2018
B. Sc Honors - Environmental Science, Disaster Management, Hazard Mitigation, Ecology, Geographic Information System
University Of Colombo
Doctor of Philosophy - Ecosystems, Disaster risk reduction, Knowledge integration
Auckland University of Technology
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